But the will to win and the drive to become a more disciplined, focused runner have evolved over time.

The West Las Vegas senior — who concluded his high school athletic career with the Class 4A-6A state track and field championships this past weekend in Albuquerque — has taken the next step in that evolution by signing with Iowa Central Community College.

As happens with several active government office holders and candidates, state Sen. Howie Morales is making the rounds in northern New Mexico. He stopped by the Optic office on a recent weekday afternoon during one of his recent campaign swings through San Miguel and Mora counties and took some of our questions.

Optic: Why can be done to bridge some of the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans, both in New Mexico and nationwide?

Justin DeHoog roped a single to right center in the bottom of the 12th inning, enabling James Cordova to score the walk-off winning run in New Mexico Highlands’ 8-7 tally against Colorado Christian on Friday at Brandt Park.

The Cowboys have shown a penchant for pulling off such late-game and extra-inning heroics this season. They just haven’t found the win column enough.

West Las Vegas became one of the last eight softball teams remaining in the Class 4A state tournament by eliminating Hope Christian 12-2 on Wednesday morning at Cleveland High in Rio Rancho.

The Lady Dons struck first before the Huskies closed within 3-2 by the end of the second inning. But the rest of the game belonged to West, which advanced to play No. 2 seed Bernalillo Wednesday afternoon.